Photo: BeImages.Skye McCole Bartusiak, an actress who had starred in films including The Patriot and Cider House Rules as a child, has died. She was 21 years old.
TMZ reports that Bartusiak was found dead in her Texas garage apartment on Saturday morning. Police have told the site that foul play is currently not suspected and that there were no "obvious signs" of a suicide. An autopsy and toxicology reports will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Bartusiak, who was seven when she played Mel Gibson's daughter in 2000's The Patriot, also appeared on 24, Against The Ropes, and Don't Say a Word. Her final film was 2012's Sick Boy.
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Abigail Breslin was among those mourning the young star's death. The actress posted a tribute to Bartusiak on Twitter, then urged followers to not fall prey to "rumors" about her friend's death. "Skye's passing was tragic," she wrote, "not something to gossip about."
One of my very good friends and someone who was like a sister to me, Skye McCole Bartusiak passed away today. So devastated.
— Abigail Breslin (@yoabbaabba) July 20, 2014(TMZ)
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